A recent report released by FreightWatch International, a global logistics security firm, identifies Brazil, Mexico and South Africa as the three countries exhibiting the highest risk for cargo theft. The “2013 Global Cargo Theft Assessment” places Brazil at the top of the list, with more than 10,000 cargo thefts reported in the past decade – 6,800 of which occurred in Sau Paulo in 2012. Mexico reported 6,000 incidents last year, 83% of which could be attributed to truck hijackings.
The report showed a sharp rise in European cargo thefts (up 24% from 2011), due notably to the targeting of pharmaceutical shipments in Italy. Asia also saw a rise in the number of thefts reported last year, largely due to the increase in demand for high-value consumables. While food and beverage products comprised the majority of reported theft incidents, high-value commodities (such as electronics) are quickly becoming prime targets.
In response to the report, Ron Greene, Vice President of FreightWatch International, advises that, “Understanding these trends can help shippers implement loss-reduction programs to minimize cargo theft, increase supply chain efficiency and deliver products intact and on-time.”
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